The death toll of Syrian army members and security forces killed in clashes with "armed terrorist gangs" in the towns of Tal Kalakh and Daraahas has risen to 15, the state-run al-Baath daily reported Wednesday.
According to official source, a number of the "armed gangs" members have been killed in the clashes that lasted for the last few days.
Meanwhile, Syrian human rights activists said the army and security forces had killed 27 citizens and wounded dozens during the past three days in Tal Kalakh, neighboring to the Lebanese borders.
Dozens of Syrian families in Tal Kalakh have poured over the Lebanese territories, fleeing the army's tank-backed attack.
The town, 160 km north to the capital Damascus, has witnessed recently peaceful anti-government demonstrations as part of the unprecedented pro-change protests that erupted across the country calling to end 48-year rule of the al-Baath party.
Syrian authorities blames the two-month turmoil on "armed terrorist thugs" supported by "foreign powers" to stir unrest in the country.